CONTACT DETAILS

CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS AND PROJECTS

Areas of Research:

Protein Structure-Function Relationships

Cancer Drug Discovery

Current research:

Characterisation of a new class of apoptotic agents in collaboration with Dr Daniela Zisterer.
PBOX compounds (pyrrolo-1,5-benzoxazepines) have shown utility in in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models of various cancers. Many of these compounds target tubulin as microtubule disruptors, whereas others have anti-proliferative activity through an unknown target. Over 20 papers have been published together with patent protection of these compounds and these compounds are also being studied in several other laboratories including those of Lawlor (TCD), Hollywood (TCD), Kelleher (TCD), and McGee (UCD). A collaborative project with David Lloyd seeks to produce compounds based on new scaffolds which mimic the tubulin-targetting activity of PBOX compounds. (published papers)

In silico drug design in collaboration with Dr David Lloyd.
Various projects are in progress including the scaffold-hopping PBOX project described above, as well as steroid receptor, hexokinase/Warburg effect inhibitors, and SMAC-mimetic IAP inhibitors. (published papers)

Characterisation and development of photo-activatable compounds for use as therapeutics and imaging agents with Prof Thorri Gunnlaugsson.
The rational design of new anti-cancer agents has been greatly aided by rapid advances in genome and cellular research and this gives academic interdisciplinary research groups the ability to bring forward new targets and agents based on such research. Such research provides for innovative, cutting-edge training in research at a PhD level. This project studies the potential of newly synthesised photo-activatable compounds based on Ru-II polypyridyl complexes and higher order complexes with nanoparticles to kill cancer cells, to provide information on potencies and mechanisms to allow the design of more potent and selective compounds which through further biochemical studies can provide a chemical series of compounds which have chemotherapeutic potential and thus can be protected and further advanced through the drug development pathway. The studies include in vitro, ex vivo, imaging, animal model and molecular modelling approaches. Preliminary studies in our laboratories have shown activity of some of these compounds towards lymphoma and lung cancer lines. (published papers)

Characterisation of amphetamine compounds as anticancer agents with Prof Mary Meegan
Novel and existing amphetamines are being investigated for an ‘alternative use' activity, viz, induction of programmed cell death as a novel mechanistic route for cancer therapy. The mechanism does not involve the monoamine transporter known targets for amphetamines. Their utility as cancer therapeutics is being investigated at an in vitro level in drug resistant cancer cell types. (published papers)

Characterisation of antidepressants as agents inducing programmed cell death.
Novel and existing antidepressants are being investigated for an ‘alternative use' activity, viz, induction of programmed cell death as a novel mechanistic route for cancer therapy. The mechanism does not involve the monoamine transporter known targets for uptake-inhibitor-based antidepressants. Their utility as cancer therapeutics is being investigated at an in vitro level in drug resistant cancer cell types. (published papers)

Characterization of the interactions of antidepressants and related compounds with Toll Receptors and the role in innate immunity and its dysregulation with Prof Luke O'Neill
Some antidepressants and related molecules can inhibit Toll receptors and so they and novel structural analogues may have potential in various syndromes in which Toll receptors play a role. Studies are in progress to investigate these phenomena at an in vitro level.

CURRENT RESEARCH GROUP MEMBERS

Dr Sandra Bright
Dr Trevor Price
Ms Luisa Erby
Ms Kim Orange

NEWS

Graduation Day

Dr Trevor Price on his PhD graduation day with other members of the Williams Research group,
Dr Sandra Bright, Ms Kim Orange and Ms Luisa Erby

Lab PhotoCongratulations to Trevor Price on his successful PhD viva - April 2012

New Research Highlights Live Cancer Cells Using Glowing Nanoparticles
New collaborative research by scientists at Trinity College Dublin has resulted in the development of a new approach to visualising live cancerous cells using luminescent metal based nanotechnology. Led by Professor in Chemistry, Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson and Professor of Biochemistry, Clive Williams, the research forms part of a collaborative effort between the School of Chemistry and the School of Biochemistry and Immunology to develop novel delivery methods and alternative approaches to cancer therapies. The research article was published recently in the Journal of the American Chemical Society and represents the first piece of published research from the new Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute.

Ruthenium (II) polypyridyl complexes are a class of compounds that display rich photophysics and photochemistry. The research paper investigates the synthesis of Ru(II)-polypyridyl stabilised, luminescent gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). These structures bind to DNA with some enhancement in their luminescent properties and undergo rapid cellular uptake, being localised within the cell cytoplasm and nucleus within a few hours. These findings could lead to advances in current cancer diagnostic and treatment efforts and will form the basis of a project that will look to exploit the advantageous properties of such gold-ruthenium based nano-systems for understanding cellular function and behaviour.